How long does the Great American Rail-Trail take?
Abigail Rogers
Updated on February 26, 2026
Great American Rail-Trail
| The Great American Rail-Trail | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3,700 miles (6,000 km) |
| Location | United States |
| Trailheads | East: Washington D.C., West: Washington state. |
| Use | Hiking, Biking |
Is the Great American Rail-Trail complete?
The trail route through Washington, D.C., and Maryland is the only section of the Great American Rail-Trail that is currently 100% complete. With the C&O stretching from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland, the route then meets up with the Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org).
What are Gateway trails?
Meet the Gateway Trails
- D.C. and Maryland’s Capital Crescent Trail.
- D.C. and Maryland’s C&O Canal Towpath.
- West Virginia and Pennsylvania’s Panhandle Trail.
- Ohio’s Ohio to Erie Trail.
- Indiana’s Cardinal Greenway.
- Illinois’ Hennepin Canal Parkway.
Is the Potomac Heritage trail paved?
the paved shared use 18.5-mile (29.8 km) Mount Vernon Trail in Arlington County, the city of Alexandria and Fairfax County, Virginia, along the Potomac River between George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon and Rosslyn, mostly within the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
How much of the Great American Rail-Trail is complete?
The preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail is more than 50 percent complete, and a significant portion of the trail gaps that need to be built are already in state and local plans.
How much of the Great American Rail-Trail is completed?
Is there a walking trail across the US?
The American Discovery Trail, including its northern and southern routes. The American Discovery Trail is a system of recreational trails and roads which collectively form a coast-to-coast hiking and biking trail across the mid-tier of the United States. It is the only non-motorized coast-to-coast trail.
Can you bike the Potomac Heritage Trail?
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail network follows the paths explored by George Washington. A 27-mile Potomac Heritage Trail On-Road Bicycling Route in Prince Georges County, MD. A one-mile trail along the north shore of Piscataway Creek in Piscataway Park.
Is the Potomac Heritage Trail closed?
COVID-19 Update: Following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health in consultation with NPS Public Health Service officers, some NPS facilities along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail are temporarily closed. Know before you go! Learn more at
Where did rails to trails start?
It began in the mid-1960s as a quiet Midwest phenomenon barely noticed in the major metropolitan areas of America. The idea: To convert the abandoned or unused rail corridors—which were closing at an increasingly rapid pace across America—into public trails.
Are there any trails in Alexandria?
Alexandria has a great network of trails. Click the links below to learn more about each trail! Portions of Holmes Run Trail are currently closed due to damage from historic flooding. The Four Mile Run Park Trail bridge has been temporarily closed due to structural deficiencies.
How long is the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria VA?
Description: 5.6 miles of the 18 mile long Mount Vernon Trail runs through Alexandria. The Trail runs alongside the Potomac River and connects George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island.
What is the Potomac River Trail?
The Trail runs alongside the Potomac River and connects George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. The scenic trail also connects to several regional trails including the Four Mile Run Park Trail and Potomac Yard Trail.
How long is the Four Mile Run Park Trail in Arlington?
Description: The Four Mile Run Park Trail is a 1.1 mile trail which connects to the Potomac Yard Trail, the Mount Vernon Trail, and Arlington’s Four Mile Run Trail. The trail runs through Four Mile Run Park, which features athletic facilities, playgrounds, picnic areas, and more.
